I was still buying mums in 2018, until I learned.. you don’t need mums at all. Your garden can grow fall flowers that feed pollinators. And there’s more… Wait, what? No more “goldfish prayers”. You know those thoughts you have: “Please survive the car ride home and into my porch. Please live longer than a day!”

Native plants and grasses are perennials, they come back year after year, no re-buying required. No spilled dirt in your car. Every fall, garden centers push mums like they’re the only option to welcome fall to our homesteads..but here’s the truth: they guzzle your money, fade fast, and give almost nothing back to pollinators, and don’t get me started on their short lifespan.

Native plants that are blooming now however, have a lot to give back. Here’s what you could plant instead:

New England Asters (Symphyotrichum novae-angliaesters) – pollinator powerhouse, aka monarch fuel

Goldenrod (Solidago spp) – glowing gold in now, fall vibes spill out like fireworks

Blue mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum) – host plant for moths and butterflies, deer do not eat them and the sparkle I swear! (PS, they are an aggressive spreader, but transplant easily)

Bluestem grasses (Schizachyrium scoparium) – movement + habitat, low maintenance which double as winter interest!

Swap the throwaways for plants that come back and give back. Thanks for reading… and happy fall!